Matthew 28

(1)  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
(2)  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
(3)  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
(4)  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
(5)  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
(6)  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
(7)  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
(8)  And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
(9)  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
(10)  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
(11)  Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
(12)  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
(13)  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
(14)  And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
(15)  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
(16)  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
(17)  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
(18)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
(19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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1. If the Jewish Sabbath began at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, when did it end? Verse 1.

2. What other purpose, besides seeing the sepulcher, brought the two women to the tomb, according to Mark? Verse 1.

3. What caused the earthquake? (Remember that the word “for,” gar in Greek, usually introduces a reason.) Verse 2.

4. What caused the soldiers to “shake and become as dead men”? Verses 3-4.

5. How do we know what happened before the women came since it happened before any of the disciples were present? Verses 3-4. (See verse 11)

6. Evidently the angel left his seat on the stone (verse 2) and went inside the sepulcher. How do we know this? Verse 5. (See Mark 16:5-6 and Luke 24:3-4)

7. What was it that marked the spot where the body of Jesus lay? Verse 6. (See John 20:7)

8. What was it about the grave clothes that indicated a resurrection? Verse 6.

9. What two messages did the angel tell the women to deliver? Verse 7.

10. Why do you think the women “ran” to deliver the message to the disciples? Verse 8.

11. What do you think your reaction would have been if you had been in the women’s place? Verse 9.

12. Where were the women and the disciples at that moment, and where did Jesus say He would meet them? Verse 10.

13. Why do you think “some of the watch” went to the chief priests instead of their homes or to the Roman authorities? Verse 11.

14. How did the chief priests and elders plan to handle the report of Jesus’ resurrection? Verse 12.

15. What makes the story concocted by the chief priests and elders unbelievable? Verse 13.

16. Why would they need to “persuade” Pilate and “secure” the guards? Verse 14.

17. The story “reported among the Jews” is unbelievable and incredible. Can you think of a better story to explain the open tomb, the empty tomb, and the discarded clothing? Verse 15.

18. How did the disciples know to go to the mountain in Galilee and what time to go? Verse 16.

19. If this is the meeting where Jesus was seen by “over five hundred brethren at once” (see 1 Corinthians 15:6), how could account for the fact that some doubted? Verse 17.

20. Why do you think Jesus stated that all power (authority, American Standard Version) was given to Him at this time? Verse 18.

21. Do you think Jesus meant baptizing the nations or baptizing those taught? Verse 19.

22. The word “in” in the phrase “in the name” is eis in the Greek, meaning “into.” Can you think of what the implications of that might be? Verse 19.

23. Did Jesus think it was enough just to teach disciples the initial steps in becoming a Christian? Verse 20.

24. The term translated “world” frequently means “age,” but since it must be the Christian age, does it make any difference in the meaning? Verse 20.